Santiponce: Italica, Monastery and Roman Traces

Roman Santiponce

In the Andalusian town of Santiponce, the history of the Roman city of Italica is particularly close to the present-day town: Italica was founded in 206 BC by Publius Cornelius Scipio “Africanus”. The Archaeological Ensemble of Italica includes a Roman amphitheatre, which is located in the immediate surroundings of Santiponce. Visitors can walk there along the course of the former streets. This brings together ancient urban planning and a tangible insight into the routes through a Roman city.

Monastery, Fortress and Art

The monastery of San Isidoro del Campo was founded near the ruins of Italica in 1301 by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán and María Alonso Coronel. San Isidoro del Campo is a monastery and fortress in which Gothic and Mudéjar stylistic elements come together. The building is decorated with murals. In addition, two altarpieces by Martínez Montañés are publicly displayed there.

Roman Everyday Life in Reconstruction

Cotidiana Vitae allows visitors to walk through a reconstruction of a Roman street. During regular opening hours, the site offers guided or self-guided tours. Together with the former street layout in the Archaeological Ensemble, this creates two different ways of accessing Roman routes: one at the historic site and one in the reconstruction.

Further Cultural Destinations in the Surrounding Area

In the immediate surroundings of Santiponce are the ancient site Teatro Romano Santiponce, the Museo Municipal Fernando Marmolejo, the ancient amphitheatre of Italica and Hacienda Tilly, a palace. Isla de la Cartuja is also located in the immediate surroundings. The Zoo de Sevilla, the Jardín Botánico el Arboreto and the Soul Garden are also located in the area around Santiponce.

The Fernando Marmolejo Collection

The Fernando Marmolejo museum collection consists of works that the goldsmith Fernando Marmolejo donated to the town of Santiponce. It includes reproductions of archaeological pieces from the Tartessian era and displays sacred art, including a collection of nativity scenes. Its thematic scope therefore ranges from the Tartessian past to religious works of art.

Routes and Connection to Seville

Santiponce also has a clearly named connection for walking: the Corredor Verde de Itálica leads to Santiponce on stage 5 of the Vías Romanas route. The M-170A and M-170B bus lines operated by the Consorcio de Transportes de Sevilla run between Seville and Santiponce. Historical sightseeing and orientation along a designated route section can thus be combined with a named connection between the city and the town. The stage information helps clearly define the intended section when planning your own day trip.

Further Destinations for Regional Orientation

Osuna, Guadalcanal, Fuentes De Andalucía, Alcalá De Guadaíra, Acalá Del Río, El Madroño, Montellano and Espartinas.

For the higher-level travel overview: Seville.